Page 78 of The Duke of Pain

“I never said that someone is a woman.”

Gideon and Damon were rendered speechless. They exchanged incredulous looks. Not that they frowned upon his pronouncement, only that Huxley’s sexual taste ran toward multiple women. At the same time. At least, it had.

“Why look so shocked, Brookton? You’ve been with men,” Huxley stated matter-of-factly. “And so have I.”

“Well, there’s being with men during an orgy, a kiss and a caress here and there, then there is being with men,” Damon replied. “I have not gone quite that far. Not that there is anything wrong with it. Blast it; it was all around us at school. You know I have always believed you gain enjoyment with whomever you can. Why are you telling us this?”

“Believe it or not, I consider you friends, regardless of what I said in the past. Christian came to see me before I left London. I said that we all were not friends. Not for a long time. That we gravitated toward each other as children. ‘What a privileged and carefree life we have all led. It’s no wonder we became friends. The thread that held us together no longer exists.’ They were bitter words I spoke. I hurt, and I lashed out. And I discovered that I need and want my friends in my life. I will be going to see Christian and Asher tonight for dinner. I will tell them the same thing.”

Huxley crossed his legs. “So why am I telling you all this? I wanted to be upfront and honest. But obviously, I also must swear you to secrecy, considering the laws and such.”

“Of course,” Gideon replied. “Can you tell us who it is?”

“All I will say for now is that we met at the sanitorium. We still have to work out how we will be meshing our lives together. He has yet to tell his family anything, so we are taking this slow. I will be selling the townhouse and moving permanently to Huxley Estate. I have had no presence in the House of Lords, so I won’t be missed. Besides, the House of Lords will matter less and less. Real power is in the House of Commons, anyway.”

“There is still work to be done,” Gideon stated. He then revealed about his joining Viscount Hawkestone’s group. “There are MP’s and Lords aplenty in Hornsby’s small assembly. You have a seat, Warren. And one day, you will as well, Damon. You could both join the effort.”

“I’ll think on it,” Damon replied absently. Which meant he wasn’t interested.

“While I applaud your commitment, I am not in the right frame of mind to take up such a responsibility,” Huxley said, his voice low. “I am still recovering. I need to advance my life in small increments. Resting at my country estate is a start.”

“You know best, Warren,” Gideon said.

“You’ve never called me by my first name before.”

“No, I haven’t. There have been many changes in my life as well,” Gideon stated. “Accepting and acknowledging friendships is one. Keep us in your life, Warren, will you? I am glad to see you. And I’m glad to hear that you are content and ready to move with your life.”

Warren stood. “I am content. And so, it seems, are you, Gideon. Quite a change in you. You’ve never been this open and accepting before. I like it.” They shook hands. “And we will keep in contact.”

Warren turned to Damon and held out his hand. “And I wish you all the best, Damon. And hope that someday your restless soul finds peace and happiness.”

Damon rolled his eyes as he shook Warren’s hand. “Oh, please. Spare me the homilies. I am fine just as I am.”

As they departed and climbed into Gideon’s carriage, Damon said, “So much for The Rakes of St. Regent’s Park. You have all abandoned me.”

Once seated, Gideon banged on the roof, and the carriage lurched forward.

“Come now, there are still members yet, and you can recruit new ones. You are now the elder statesman of the group. Well, you and Tolwood. Poor Merritt, is he still looking for a bride?”

“I suppose. I don’t really care. To be blunt, I never cared for Tolwood. It was Christian who took pity on him and allowed him to join The Rakes. Don’t forget: Tolwood is not a full-fledged member. I should cut him loose and be done with it.”

Gideon chuckled. “Such compassion for your fellow man. Will you be coming back to my house?”

Damon shook his head. “Not today. I am still trying to process the shocking news about Olivia and our blood ties. I will come and see her before I depart for Spain, as I said.” He pulled aside the curtain, staring outside. Damon’s look turned wistful. “I always wanted a sister. I always wanted someone to love.”

Gideon arched an eyebrow at the emotional confession. Damon was unaware that he had spoken that heartfelt comment aloud. Gideon would not acknowledge it.

There were more depths to Damon than he had originally believed.

* * *

Althea Galway arrived promptly at four o’clock with a young lad in tow.

Olivia smiled, “Welcome, please do take a seat.”

“Thank you, Your Grace, Miss Durham. May I introduce Archie Fitzgerald? He is presently attending school while assisting us in our endeavors when he can.”

Archie stood, cap in hand, looking from the tier stand filled with sandwiches and treats, back to Olivia and Gideon.